"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. ... "Food is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible. It is no wonder God set forth appropriate dietary plans to ensure each of us stays healthy, happy, and secure. Each of us is unique and requires individual food choices that best suit our biological makeup. God makes such note of the above quote telling us to be wary and aware of food choices by listening to what our body dictates.One staple that has been around since antiquity is the desire to make fermented foods. It is an ancient process of preservation and potentiation, and one that has been used by cultures all around the world, throughout time. These fermented beverages were distinctive to each individual culture, place, time, and value system, and were usually consumed as part of a method in preserving foods during times of unavailability.It's not surprising that our culture has traded many of the benefits of these healthy foods for the convenience of mass-produced pickles and other cultured foods. Some olives, such as most canned California-style black olives, for instance, are not generally fermented, but are simply treated with lye to remove the bitterness, packed in salt and canned. Olive producers can now hold olives in salt-free brines by using an acidic solution of lactic acid, acetic acid, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate, a long way off from the old time natural lactic-acid fermenting method of salt alone. So Where Can You Find Healthy Fermented Foods?As fermented foods expert Sally Fallon asks in Nourishing Traditions, with the proliferation of all these new mysterious viruses, intestinal parasites and chronic health problems, despite ubiquitous sanitation, "Could it be that by abandoning the ancient practice of lacto-fermentation, and insisting on a diet in which everything has been pasteurized, we have compromised the health of our intestinal flora and made ourselves vulnerable to legions of pathogenic microorganisims?" Like the $2.97 gallon jars of dill pickles Vlasic sells at a loss at Walmart, are we undermining our health and even economic well-being by our insistence on "more, faster and cheaper?"Eating fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut help keep your helpful gut bacteria happy and strong. When these bacteria are in a good balance, they work hard to keep YOU happy and strong. Yes, you heard that right, when your stomach is in order you will feel more joy than ever expected!Fermented foods contain probiotics. You must scrutinize labels at this point hunting out such new food items as: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bulgaricus. Check also for labels that include salt as a fermentating agent and not vinegar. These hold the highest amounts of beneficial probiotics. Top 10 Fermented Foods1. YogurtOne of the best probiotic foods is live-cultured yogurt, especially handmade. Look for brands made from goat’s milk that have been infused with extra forms of probitoics like lactobacillus or acidophilus.2. KefirSimilar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains. High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants.3. SauerkrautMade from fermented cabbage (and sometimes other vegetables), sauerkraut is not only extremely rich in healthy live cultures, but might also help with reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamins B, A, E and C. Bubbies is lacto-fermented.4. Dark ChocolateProbiotics can be added to high-quality dark chocolate, up to four times the amount of probiotics as many forms of dairy. This is only one of the health benefits of chocolate.5. MicroalgaeThis refers to super-food ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chorella, and blue-green algae. These probiotic foods have been shown to increase the amount of both Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in the digestive tract. 6. Miso SoupMiso is one the main-stays of traditional Japanese medicine and is commonly used in macrobiotic cooking as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice or barley, adding a tablespoon of miso to some hot water makes an excellent, quick, probiotic-rich soup, full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria.7. PicklesBelieve it or not, the common green pickle is an excellent food source of probiotics. Most infused probiotic pickles are made with a simple brine of water and salt.8. TempehA great substitute for meat or tofu, tempeh is a fermented, probiotic-rich grain made from soy beans.9. KimchiAn Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, kimchi is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea. Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 and B2. 10. Kombucha TeaThis is a form of fermented tea that contains a high amount of healthy gut bacteria. This probiotic drink has been used for centuries and is believed to help increase your energy, enhance your well being and maybe even help you lose weight.Probiotic rich foods should be ingested twice daily to ensure you have optimal levels of healthy gut flora. So, what are you waiting for? Find you favorite probiotic food today and experience inner joy again! Keeping your digestive system in check helps eliminate depression and allows happiness to permeate your life again.

Monday's BlessingProverbs 22:6"Train up [your children] according to the way for [them]."

Life, often, is just too busy. Is your family suffering while you try to keep up? Are you emotionally dislocated due to personal or financial issues? At times, demands take such a hold that we forget who mean the most to us. Sadly, the realization comes at times too late. Don't let this damage mount until it is difficult to patch. How much family time is built into your own schedule? Are you trying to "pencil in" your loved ones lately? It's time to get life back on track, and reap the rewards as your own emotional well-being soars!

Many take Proverbs 22:6 as a verse that speaks of the importance of discipline. Yes, discipline is an act of parental love. But, does God speak only of discipline concerning his own children? Of course not, he offers us comfort and love by guiding us especially when we need him most. Let us not forget this insight as we raise our own children. Be available more.

Daily Guidance

1. Just because we are in the midst of a recession, doesn't mean you can't find inexpensive local events to attend with family members. Just Google local events in __________(your city), like Miami , and hook up with your local official website. You can sign up for emails or personalize it so you'll be aware in advance what is happening in your area.

2. Commune with nature again. Find your state park list on the internet. If you are a Florida resident, Florida State Parks , has a user friendly site that you can peruse for your next adventure. Check out the camping section and see if your family members may be interested in getting back to nature without the bells and whistles of technology.

3. If you have the camping bug, log onto KOA Camping. This site hosts an enormous list of nation wide camping, along with things to do, that are localized to the area you are visiting. Be sure to sign up for the KOA Value Card. You can save 10% on night stays, and earn points towards monetary amounts that enables savings on future camping adventures.

4. If you want something close to home, search your local county parks, such as Orange County Parks . You'll be amazed at what your local county parks offer. Pack a lunch or dinner and just get out with those you love. Don't look at what needs to be done around the house, it will be there waiting for you when you get back.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."Did you know the word "peace" appears 86 times in the New Testament? Many times its reference is to reside an inner conflict. But most often it is referred to as a greeting. In fact, when Jesus first met his disciples, his first words were, "Peace be with you." Peace comes from the Hebrew word, Shalom. Shalom is used to both greet people and to bid them farewell. In the Bible, Paul used it to begin and end each of his letters. He writes:

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, 4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

In this passage, it is more than an idle wish when he brings this news. It is an actual prayer for something to happen deep down inside each individual he brings such good news to. He speaks of the common daily storms each of us experience. Those storms that cause such an uprise as seen on the surface of a raging river. The water is rough, tumultuous on the surface, unable to keep any living soul afloat. But if you dive deep down, open your eyes, the water is peaceful. Despite the wind howling upstream and down, deep down the current still flows as it usually does..... peacefully. We'd all love to have peace on the surface each day of our lives. Unfortunately, no one can give us that. There are winds that blow, and storms that come up that are the nuances of life. After all, God gives others freedom of choice too, and often, their freedoms impinge upon our lifestyles. Yet, we all can have that peace that resides deep down in our hearts. The place where we are the most "me". The place where we connect deeply with God. That place is the true peace Jesus wishes for his disciples and all who follow him. The peace that Paul begins and ends each of his letters with. The peace that is promised 86 times in the Bible. What a gift that his handed to us! All we have to do is move to our inner peace through the spirit any time we need to.

"Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery."Why is it the upright are always persecuted? Why should those who defend freedom, promote brotherliness and peace end up slain? Why is it even in our own Christian communities, with a multitude of speakers and emails crying out for American justice, we are despondent in times in understanding that the one who disturbed our quiet little habitat was in fact a prophet urging us to be faithful to the gospel? When these liberators are quiet or dead, then those responsible for never stepping a foot out of their comfort zone will weep and lament wishing there could have been some sort of change but by then it will be too late.In this gospel, we must keep in mind there were expectations the people had of the Messiah that clouded their vision. For them, the Messiah was to be a hero, a strong warrior like Samson, a victorious king like David, and intelligent an capable politician like Solomon, all protected by God. And since Christ had set us free; it is of the utmost importance we never see ourselves yoked in slavery again - ever. There, said right before you, God protects the warrior who offers his life so others may be free.Can you be that warrior?Slavery can happen in an instant. There are books full of historical examples of an oppressed people. Individuals who put trust in their leaders, and slowly, even carefully, minds were changed, situations were altered, until the deed was done, and enforcements were brought in. By then all the lamenting and weeping was useless as the new regime took hold.What type of slavery has confined you? Are you a victim of the Baby Boomer era with little job prospects? Are you a recent college graduate with no career venue? Are you student trying to make ends meet hoping to complete your requirements before your loans run out? Maybe you are just trying to make ends meet as a father or mother in this difficult economy. Do you feel persecuted for your religious beliefs?Who ever you are, be ready and vigilant for change. Pray for these yokes of slavery to be unleashed. Pray for those who gave us our independence. Pray that our eyes shall be open always and ready for battle should we be called.